Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art celebrates 35th anniversary

by Laryssa Chreptowsky Reifel

CHICAGO - The Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art celebrated its 35th anniversary at the Ukrainian Cultural Center in Chicago on October 7.

The turnout for the celebration was quite strong, with more than 250 people in attendance. Guests at the celebration enjoyed a very pleasant cocktail hour with excellent music by Zorepod. The mistresses of ceremony were Dr. Vira Bodnaruk and Laryssa Chreptowsky Reifel.

Vera Chreptowsky opened the evening by welcoming all of the guests and thanking them for their support of UIMA.

Guest speakers Prof. Myroslawa Mudrak of Ohio State University and Prof. Vladimir Morenets of the National University of Kyiv Mohyla Academy gave speeches about the relevance of the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art and its role in the diaspora.

Prof. Mudrak expounded upon the role of the institute in the world by explaining that "Through the abstract language of music and art, the institute has offered the opportunity to find meaning on a level that transcends the literal and the pedestrian, and to invite engagement at a level of contemplation that offers universal import. Hence, the Institute of Modern Art is not about what it means to be Ukrainian through popular arts and customs, but what it means to be Ukrainian within the family of mankind in the world today, especially in terms of the Western world whose aesthetic values Ukraine had made its own - from the Byzantine period, through the Baroque, and into the modernist age."

Prof. Morenets very eloquently discussed the role of initiative in the diaspora and specifically praised the initiative of the four men whose efforts were celebrated at the event: Dr. Achilles N. Chreptowsky, UIMA's founder and principal benefactor; Wasyl Kacurovsky, UIMA's first curator and principal art expert; Konstantin Milonadis and Michajlo Urban, UIMA's first artists.

In addition to formal speeches, there was a short film presentation that contained a photo montage and interviews with various volunteers at the institute and their thoughts on the meaning of the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art and its role in the community.

The highlight of the evening came with the introduction of a new award to be given by the institute on very rare occasions. The Guardian of the Institute Award is to be given to individuals who have distinguished themselves in their service to the institute. Mrs. Chreptowsky introduced the award and its first recipient - Oleh Kowerko. Mr. Kowerko was given the award because he has exemplified what it means to be a Guardian of the Institute through his 35 years of selfless dedication to the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art, its programming and evolution.

Many leaders from both the Ukrainian and American communities addressed the banquet with warm greetings of congratulations. Among them were Consul General of Ukraine Vasyl Korzachenko, Deputy Commissioner of Cultural Affairs Valentine Judge; the president of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America - Illinois branch, Pavlo Bandriwsky; the vice-president of the Heritage Foundation of First Security Federal Savings Bank, Pavlo Nadzikewycz; the secretary of the board of Selfreliance Ukrainian American Federal Credit Union, Victor Wojtychiw; and the senior manager of operations, Chicago Sister Cities International Program, Kate Heilman.

Mr. Wojtychiw of Selfreliance Ukrainian American Federal Credit Union and Dr. Nadzikewycz of the Heritage Foundation of First Security Federal Savings Bank also announced generous donations to the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art.

First, Dr. Nadzikewycz announced a $10,000 donation from the Heritage Foundation and congratulated the institute on 35 years of service to the community. Then, Mr. Wojtychiw announced a $25,000 donation from Selfreliance Ukrainian American Federal Credit Union.

Many individuals also gave donations in honor of UIMA's 35th anniversary celebration.

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The Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art was founded by Dr. Chreptowsky to preserve and promote the knowledge and appreciation of contemporary Ukrainian art and culture. It has served as an artistic anchor in Chicago's West Town community for more than 30 years, providing world-class art exhibitions, concerts, literary readings, and educational and cultural exchanges.

UIMA is located at 2320 W. Chicago Ave.; telephone, 773-227-5522. The institute is open Wednesday through Sunday, from noon to 4 p.m.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, November 5, 2006, No. 45, Vol. LXXIV

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